AMTA’s office will be closed December 24-25 and January 1, and business hours on December 23, 26 and 27 will be 9 am-5 pm CT. Click here for more information on the best times to reach us.
Massage Therapy for Mental Health
A growing body of research supports the positive impact of massage therapy for relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.
How Touch Can Help the Mind
In the United States, almost half of adults will experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime. A growing body of research is supporting the positive impact of massage therapy for relief of stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, many studies indicate it can provide benefits similar to psychotherapy for certain conditions. Explore the resources below to learn more about the ways massage can improve mental health and well-being.
Massage Therapy Benefits for Mental Health:
- Massage therapy has shown to significantly reduce stress on both physical and psychological levels.
- A study published in Military Medicine reports that military veterans indicated significant reductions in ratings of anxiety, worry, depression, and physical pain after massage.
- Research indicates that massage can improve mood and reduce depression in those living with chronic pain, as well as in cancer patients, pregnant women, and people living with chronic disease.
Related Articles
Massage for Individuals with PTSD and Trauma
Massage therapy has shown promise in helping to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with PTSD.
Depression, Burnout and Massage Therapy
Knowing the warning signs of burnout can help people take preventative action.
Soothe: The Evolution of Self-Care
Self-care has evolved to embrace a more whole-person perspective, combining both physical and mental health care.
Related Online Continuing Education Courses
Self-Care Strategies for Preventing Burnout
$37 members / $62 non-members 2.5 CE credits
Discover how burnout can affect massage therapists in the workplace. Understand the problems that can occur and the appropriate prevention and management strategies. Explore wellness models and self-care practices, including mindfulness techniques to protect against emotional exhaustion.
Massage Therapy for Depressed Clients
$30 members / $50 non-members 2 CE credits
People are often surprised when a health professional suggests that seemingly unrelated symptoms might be occurring as a result of depression. Find out how massage therapy can help manage the sometimes overwhelming symptoms of depression.
12 Self-Care Secrets—Twelve Steps to Integrate Body, Mind and Spirit
$60 members / $100 non-members 4 CE credits
Discover how to integrate mind, body and spirit into your daily life with this 12-step self-care program. Designed to make balance an essential part of your routine, this course will benefit massage therapists personally and professionally.
Related Resources
Massage for Cancer Patients
Massage therapy can be incredibly beneficial for cancer patients in a variety of ways. Explore articles and resources to expand your skillset to include treatment of cancer patients.
Massage and Pregnancy
Get more information about the benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy and explore resources designed to equip you to help your pregnant clients.
Massage Therapy for Headaches
Discover how massage therapy can benefit your clients looking for relief from headaches and get resources to assist your clients with that pain.